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Repair projects are underway in three Emerald Necklace parks to help improve their highly traveled pedestrian pathways.

Crews began working in October on pathways in the Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall as part of a $900,000 project headed by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.

The contracted crews are working on the paths in greatest decline, according to the city, to repair entire swaths of pathways and “spot treating” areas of asphalt to address tripping hazards and puddles that accumulate after heavy rains.

Most paths only need their top layer of asphalt to be milled in order to even the surface, but about fiver percent of the pathways being worked will need their sub-bases repaired, according to the city.

Contractors will repair the sub-base only where needed to limit the disturbance to the root systems of the tree canopy, the city said.

The project will also allow the city to ensure that the three parks continue to have adequate abilities to capture storm water

For example, an infiltration basin will be installed beneath the pathway at McArthur Mall in Boston Common that will allow storm water to slowly be released into the ground while providing a relatively puddle-free pedestrian thoroughfare.

Fencing has been put up around work areas and some statues and artwork, including the iconic “Make Way for Ducklings” statues, will be covered when crews are working nearby.

Since the project’s work is dependent on the weather, the city expects that some pathway improvements will not be completed until spring.
--Twitter: @YourBeaconHill
E-mail: Johanna.yourtown@gmail.com